home set up killing computers

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DCthetruth

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I came here because of a problem i've been having.I killed 3 computers now trying to record.I run a shure condensor mic and fostex studio monitors thru a behringer turntable mixer and run a y cable into the mic in on the computers.On the pc's it blue screened them and i had to reinstall windows to get em to reboot..on the laptop i had feedback so i messed with the y cable in the mic iunput to see if the feedback would go away and boom it went black and wont boot now.i record thru adobe audition.Everyone i talk to says this seems like a normal setup that is almost impossible to kill a computer but after three dead computers im not sure what else to do or how to fix this and fear even trying again with a 4th computer.most of the computers had windows xp..any ideas? maybe i need a preamp instead of the mixer? but i do use a turntable at times so the mixer is pretty much needed..any help would be appreciated
 
Unless one of the devices has a HUGE DC offset, my guess is that the computers had something wrong with them to begin with. That said, you might stick a volt meter across the audio line just to make sure.
 
Mmmm.

Before you torch anything else :cool:, you need to provide some very specific information about the setup.

For a start, the exact model of microphone, speakers, mixer? What kind of y-cable - that is, what sort of connectors at each end? Also, from which connection point on the mixer did you to connect to the computer?

That would probably do to get going with.
 
I don't expect three computers to share the same fault.

The set up you describe, though lacking specific details and though probably not the best, should not present those sorts of problems.

My guess it is the connection between the turntable thing and the PC. My further guess is that the computers are getting something way too hot (e.g. like a DC offset that dgatwood referred to)) that is messing with its soundcard.

I'm really interested in what output you are using from the turntable mixer, and what you are using to connect it to the computers with.
 
Nothing in that setup should kill a computer.

I will say that relying on a built-in soundcard (which has chips worth less than a candy bar) kills your quality. It should be something you should upgrade.

I would also ask - are you running any *ahem* less than legal *ahem* software???
(more likely to cause blue screens than hooking up anything to a mic in)
 
That's gotta be a power issue surely. What size PSU are you using? Also it maybe your home wiring giving off surges, try useing a surge protector just incase :S Or the new asus motherboards come with surge protection to stop your components getting fried from overvoltage
 
Not sure if this applies to your gear or how you are wiring things up, but are you plugging your computer audio output into a mic channel of an external mixer, which has phantom power (48v)switched on (shouldn't be on unless a condensor mic or active DI is used). I have seen this issue at least once cause a computer motherboard malfunction. Sounds very much like a stray voltage is being applied to your computer inbuilt soundcard when you plug things in. I would find a tech in your area and get them to come over with a multimeter and check for unwanted voltages on your connections.
 
I am guessing that the OP has killed a 4th, or even 5th, computer and is too embarrassed to report back.
 
BSOD is seldom caused by outboard hardware. Typically its a BIOS or harddrive issue. My guess is this guy has a load of rogue software installed, like TimO'Brien suggested.
 
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